ASCENT OF AN ICEBERG. 



ST 



however, in reaching the top without danger, rising a boat-hook 

 as a sort of alpenstock to aid me. 



ASCENT OF AN ICEBEKG. 



Here resting a while, and, drinking in the ocean scene around, 

 with our ship on the blue waters awaiting us, I then descended. 



On the way down I unfortunately trod on the rusty part of the 

 boat-hook, and, having my boots off for surer footing, received 

 a rather bad wound, which confined me to a couch for some 

 days. 



Our progress toward Greenland was so tantalizingly slow, ow- 

 ing to calms and head winds, that a fourth Sunday passed over 

 us when still at a considerable distance from Holsteinborg, Green- 

 land, the port of rendezvous of the George Henry and Rescue. 



Of these Sundays at sea, it gives me pleasure to speak in favor- 

 able terms as to their observance on board. The crew exhibited 

 most excellent demeanor; and as the George Henry had a small but 

 carefully-selected library in the cabin, furnished by the house of 

 Williams & Haven (owners of the vessel), good books were occa- 

 sionally distributed by the captain among officers and men, much 

 to their satisfaction, and, no doubt, advantage. 



Again referring to my J ournal : 



u June 26th, at midnight, I witnessed a scene never to be for- 

 gotten. I found the whole north illuminated — not by the aurora 

 borealis — but by reflection of the sun's rays. The northern sky 

 presented the appearance of a sunset perhaps twenty minutes 

 over. I could hardly believe my eyes and my position as to 



